Ives starts epic Tour de Charity

Veteran 65-year-old cyclist Mick Ives today set off on his Tour de France charity ride, 24 hours before the world's leading professional roadmen begin their own three-week trek which ends in Paris on the Champs-Elysees on July 24.

Veteran 65-year-old cyclist Mick Ives today set off on his Tour de France charity ride, 24 hours before the world's leading professional roadmen begin their own three-week trek which ends in Paris on the Champs-Elysees on July 24.

Ives was riding the first two stages - a 19km time trial from Fromentine to Noirmoutier en l'Ile in the Vendee region and then 181.5km from Challans to Les Essarts - today, and plans to stay two days ahead of the race as it moves towards the Alps and then on to the Pyrenees as, accompanied by helpers Ian Wallace, from Coventry, and journalist Roger St Pierre, he raises money for Cancer Research UK.

"It is going to be tough," said Ives, who has worked on the race for Peugeot and rode as a professional in the Tour of Switzerland and Tour of Luxemburg. "But my condition is good.

"I'd like to thank all the people who have donated money and helped in so many other ways to get the ride up and running."

Ives, who will be riding in the same design of clothing worn by the first British team to compete in the Tour exactly 50 years ago, will use two Fuji bikes and accommodation has been provided by Elddis with a five-berth motor home.

Donations, made out to Micks T de F Ride for Cancer Research UK, can be sent to 78 Mill Hill, Baginton, CV8 3AG, and his progress can be followed through his Tour website at http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/tourdef rance. Details can also be found on www.miracing.co.uk